Best of Peru 13 Days – Machu Picchu, Paracas, Cusco & Titicaca

Very early in the morning, we will depart from Lima for Paracas, traveling along the southern coast of the country.

Upon arrival, we will head to the pier to begin our boat excursion to the impressive Ballestas Islands, where we will observe sea lions, Humboldt penguins, and a wide variety of seabirds. During the tour, we will also see the enigmatic geoglyph known as the Candelabro.

Afterward, we will continue to Huacachina, the famous natural oasis in the middle of the desert. Here you will have free time for lunch and to enjoy the surroundings. (Lunch at passenger's expense)
In the afternoon, we will experience an adrenaline-filled adventure with a dune buggy ride and sandboarding, enjoying breathtaking desert landscapes and, weather permitting, a spectacular sunset over the dunes.

After the adventure, we will begin our return trip to Lima, arriving in the evening.

Overnight in Lima.

Maximum height: 154 m / 505 ft

Minimum height: 154 m / 505 ft

Climate: Humid

Difficulty: Easy

Approximate walk: 2 - 3 hrs

RECOMMENDATION
This will be a long and activity-filled day, so we recommend bringing light clothing, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. It's also important to bring water, wind protection for the boat trip, and a light jacket for the afternoon. Get ready for a day of adventure in the sun and enjoy every moment!

At the scheduled time, transfer to Lima airport to board your flight to Cusco, the historic capital of the Inca Empire. During the flight, you can enjoy the changing landscapes as we approach the Peruvian Andes.

Upon arrival, our representative will meet you and transfer you to your hotel in Cusco's historic center, where you can check in and settle in. Due to the altitude (3,399 m / 11,152 ft), it is recommended that you take it easy and use the time to rest and acclimatize.

In the afternoon, you will have free time to begin exploring this enchanting city. You can stroll along the cobblestone streets, admire the colonial architecture, visit the Plaza de Armas with its impressive churches and balconies, or enjoy a coffee on a terrace overlooking the majestic Andes. This first afternoon in Cusco is ideal for acclimatizing, relaxing, and immersing yourself in the history and culture that make the city unique. •
•
•
•
Overnight stay in Cusco

Maximum height: 3,399 m/12,139 ft

Minimum height: 3,399 m/12,139 ft

Climate: Cold - Sunny

Difficulty: Easy

Approximate walk: 1 hrs

RECOMMENDATION
Before your return flight, be sure to check your belongings and documents, confirm your airport transfer time, and arrive at least 2 hours in advance. (REMEMBER TO SEND US YOUR FLIGHT SCHEDULE).

In the morning, after a hearty breakfast at your hotel, you'll have free time to rest and acclimatize to the altitude.

In the afternoon, we'll begin an exclusive City Tour of Cusco, visiting the main historical sites:

- Qorikancha (Temple of the Sun): One of the most sacred sites of the Inca era, where ancestral architecture blends with colonial construction.

- Cusco Cathedral: Artistic jewels of the Cusco School.

- Sacsayhuaman: Majestic Inca fortress with enormous stone walls.

- Q'enqo: Ancient ceremonial sanctuary.

- Puca Pucara: Known as the "Red Fort."

- Tambomachay: Famous for its water fountains dedicated to worship and purification.

At the end of the tour, you'll return to your hotel, with the option of enjoying a relaxing afternoon or a gourmet dinner at one of Cusco's exclusive restaurants.

Overnight in Cusco.

Maximum height: 190 m / 623 ft

Minimum height: 183 m / 600 ft

Climate: Cold - Sunny

Difficulty: Easy

Approximate walk: 2 - 3 hr

RECOMMENDATION
It's important to remember to apply sunscreen and mosquito repellent every day, especially on this day in Cocha Perdida.If you wish, you can leave an optional tip for your guide at the end of the tour.

After picking you up from your hotel, we'll head to the gastronomic kitchen where you'll experience one of the most authentic tastes of Peruvian cuisine.

We'll begin with a guided tour of the local market, where you'll discover a variety of fresh and colorful produce: Andean tubers, chili peppers, exotic fruits, aromatic herbs, and ancient grains like quinoa and amaranth. Our guide will explain the cultural significance of each ingredient while we select what we need for the class.

Back at the workshop, we'll begin the hands-on cooking class, where, guided step-by-step by the chef, you'll learn to prepare iconic Peruvian dishes. We'll start with a delicious appetizer, such as a fresh ceviche or causa limeña. Then we'll move on to the main course, where you can prepare a traditional lomo saltado, ají de gallina, or an Andean option, depending on the day's program. While enjoying the preparation, you'll also learn to create the classic pisco sour, Peru's signature drink, using professional techniques you can replicate at home.

Finally, you'll taste all the dishes you prepared, accompanied by a warm atmosphere and a brief explanation of the culinary history of each recipe. At the end of the experience, our team will transfer you back to your hotel.

Overnight in Cusco.

Maximum height: 3,399 m/12,139 ft

Minimum height: 3,399 m/12,139 ft

Climate: Cold - Sunny

Difficulty: Easy

Approximate walk: 1 hr

RECOMMENDATION
Wear comfortable clothing and bring cash for purchases at the market. Follow the chef's instructions and enjoy every step of the process to make the most of the culinary experience.

After a delicious breakfast at your hotel, our Meta Peru Travel team will pick you up to begin a fascinating excursion to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, one of Peru's most impressive and culturally rich routes.
Our first stop will be at the Taray viewpoint, where you can admire the majesty of the valley and its agricultural terraces. Next, we'll visit the traditional town of Pisac, famous for its impressive archaeological site and lively artisan market, ideal for finding colorful textiles, ceramics, and local jewelry.

We'll continue to Urubamba, where you'll enjoy a buffet lunch at a cozy local restaurant surrounded by Andean landscapes. In the afternoon, we'll explore the fortress of Ollantaytambo, an architectural gem of the Inca Empire, whose enormous carved stones and agricultural terraces reflect the grandeur of this civilization.

At the end of the tour, we'll return to the city of Cusco, where you can rest and prepare for the next adventure of your trip.

Overnight stay in Cusco.

Maximum height: 3,762 m / 12,343 ft

Minimum height: 2,792 m / 9,160 ft

Climate: Cold - Sunny

Difficulty: Easy

Approximate walk: 2 hr

IMPORTANT
The Cusco City Tour tourist ticket is also valid
for visiting sites in the Sacred Valley, such as Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Chinchero, and Moray. Be sure to keep it, as it is valid for several days.

In the morning, our team will pick you up from your hotel to begin your adventure to the Sacred Valley. After a brief safety briefing, we'll start our ATV tour to Moray.

The route to Moray is a round trip by ATV, taking you through open Andean landscapes, cultivated fields, and offering spectacular panoramic views. Upon arrival, we'll visit the impressive circular terraces, considered an ancient Inca agricultural laboratory, where our guide will explain their historical and scientific significance. After the ATV tour, we'll travel by tourist transport to the famous Maras Salt Mines, a complex of over 3,000 salt ponds that have been exploited since pre-Inca times.

Here, we'll enjoy a guided tour and time for photography. In the afternoon, we'll head to Mountain View, where you'll enjoy a delicious lunch in a natural setting surrounded by lush green landscapes. Afterward, we'll continue to your hotel in Urubamba, an ideal place to relax, admire the majestic mountains, breathe fresh air, and experience the unique beauty of the Andean sky.

Overnight in Urubamba.

Maximum height: 3,765 m / 12,352 ft

Minimum height: 3,399 m/12,139 f

Climate: Cold - Sunny

Difficulty: Easy

Approximate walk: 2 hr

IMPORTANT
We suggest you bring water, sunscreen, a hat, comfortable shoes, and a small backpack with personal items.

Early in the morning, after a light breakfast at your hotel, our Meta Peru Travel team will pick you up from your hotel in the Sacred Valley to begin the most anticipated trip: a visit to the wonder of the world, Machu Picchu.

We will board the luxury train to Aguas Calientes, enjoying a scenic journey surrounded by mountains, verdant valleys, and the murmur of the Urubamba River. During the trip, you can relax with first-class service, Andean music, and landscapes that seem straight out of a dream.

Upon arrival, a short bus ride will take us to the entrance of the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, where our expert guide will reveal the mysteries and secrets of this majestic feat of Inca engineering. Explore temples, staircases, and terraces while feeling the mystical energy of this sacred place, surrounded by lush nature. After the visit, you will descend to the town of Aguas Calientes, where you can enjoy lunch at the restaurant of your choice (lunch at passenger's expense). Afterward, you will board the train back to Ollantaytambo, where our team will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel in Cusco.

Overnight in Cusco.

Maximum height: 2,430 m / 7,972 ft

Minimum height: 2,040 m / 6,693 ft

Climate: Cold - Sunny

Difficulty: Moderate

Approximate walk: 3 hrs

IMPORTANT
To enter Machu Picchu, you must present the original ID or passport you used to book your ticket. Without this document, you will not be allowed to enter the archaeological site.

This tour is perfect if you want a unique experience in Cusco: horseback riding through Andean landscapes, breathing in the mountain air, and arriving at one of the most mystical places near the city: the Temple of the Moon.

We begin with pick-up and head to the starting point of the horseback ride, where you'll have a brief safety briefing and be assigned your horse. Before setting off, the muleteer will help you get used to the horse's rhythm, ideal even if it's your first time.

During the ride, we travel along peaceful paths with views of fields, eucalyptus groves, and typical Cusco panoramas. The ride is easy to moderate, and the pace is adjusted to the group so you can enjoy it at your own pace, with stops for photos. We arrive at the Temple of the Moon, a ceremonial site carved into the rock and associated with the Andean worldview. Here you'll have time to explore, take photos, and listen to a short explanation about its cultural significance and the surrounding natural environment. We then begin our return journey along a similar route, concluding the tour with the transfer back to Cusco.

Overnight in Cusco.

Maximum height: 3,399 m/12,139 ft

Minimum height: 3,121 m / 10,240 f

Climate: Cold - Sunny

Difficulty: Easy

Approximate walk: 1 - 2 hrs

IMPORTANT
We suggest you bring light clothing, water, sunscreen, a hat, comfortable shoes, and a small backpack with personal items.

In the morning, after breakfast in Cusco, we will transfer to the train station to board the Belmond Andean Explorer, a luxury train with panoramic views that travels through the Andean highlands.

During the journey, you will enjoy:

- Spectacular landscapes: mountains, plains, and Andean lagoons.

- La Raya: the highest point on the route (4,335 m), ideal for memorable photos.

- Comfort and luxury on board: panoramic carriages, live music, and a gourmet lunch.

- Local culture: passing through Andean communities, where you can observe their traditional way of life.

At the end of the journey, we will arrive in the city of Puno, on the shores of Lake Titicaca, where our staff will transfer you to your hotel.

Overnight in Puno

Maximum height: 3,827 m / 12,555 ft

Minimum height: 3,121 m / 10,240 ft

Climate: Cold - Sunny

Difficulty: Easy

Approximate walk: 1 - 2 hrs

IMPORTANT
Before checking out in Cusco, be sure to che history and art of the imperial city.

Today we will explore Lake Titicaca and its islands. We will begin with a 7:50 a.m. pick-up from your hotel to head to the port and take a boat to the floating islands of the Uros. We will arrive at 9:15 a.m., where we will have a guided tour of the Uros Islands, known for their unique way of life, using totora reeds (aquatic plants) in their houses, rafts, and handicrafts.

Then we will continue our tour to Amantaní Island (3,663 m). We will arrive around 1:30 p.m., where we will enjoy a typical lunch and have time to relax and explore the island. At 3:00 p.m., we will begin a hike to Pachatata, one of the highest points to watch the sunset.

We will return at 6:00 p.m. We will share dinner and participate in folk dances with local families, dressed in traditional village costumes.

Overnight stay on Uros Island.

Maximum height: 3,812 m / 12,507 ft

Minimum height: 3,663 m / 12,018 ft

Climate: Cold - Sunny

Difficulty: Easy

Approximate walk: 3 - 4 hrs

IMPORTANT
Wear comfortable shoes, warm clothing, and plenty of water. The altitude is high, so go at your own pace and enjoy the scenery.

In the morning, at 7:00 a.m., we will have breakfast with the families of Amantaní and then head to Taquile Island (3950 m). We will arrive at Taquile at 10:30 a.m., where we will begin a hike to explore the island and discover a traditional way of life where property is private, but work is collective, with around 300 inhabitants who alternate days of individual and communal work. Taquile follows the Inca principles of "do not steal, do not lie, and do not be idle," customs they have maintained for centuries. During our visit, we will enjoy breathtaking views of the Altiplano. At midday, we will enjoy a typical lunch.

Finally, we will board our boat, which will take us back to Puno. We will arrive at the port of Puno at approximately 3:00 p.m. and then be transferred to our hotel in the city of Puno. Overnight in Puno.

Maximum height: 3,950 m / 12,959 ft

Minimum height: 3,827 m / 12,556 ft

Climate: Cold - Sunny

Difficulty: Easy

Approximate walk: 3 - 4 hrs

IMPORTANT
Before leaving the home of the family assigned to you, remember to check your belongings and don't forget to apply sunscreen; the morning radiation is strong.
Before checking out in Cusco, be sure to check your belongings and documents. Puno is a city located at 3800 meters above sea level, so we recommend bringing thermal clothing as it gets noticeably cold at night.

On the last day of your trip, at the pre-arranged time, we will transfer you from your hotel to Juliaca Airport.

Our staff will assist you to ensure a comfortable and punctual transfer, marking the end of this unforgettable experience in Peru.

•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
End of our services.

IMPORTANT
Don't forget to send us your flight information so we can coordinate your hotel pick-up time.